The ACT Brumbies have seen their Canberra fortress raided by the Crusaders, who snatched a top two spot on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder in a thrilling final round clash.
While the Chiefs locked down the No.1 ranking with a win over the Highlanders earlier on Friday night, the Brumbies and Crusaders met in a battle for second position with the Kiwi outfit victorious, 33-31.
The visitors hit the front in the 76th minute with reserve hooker George Bell peeling off a maul to dive over.
His try came after referee James Doleman missed an appartant knock-on by Sevu Reece in the previous play.
With little more than a minute to play it looked like Brumbies winger Corey Toole might put his side back in the lead as he pin-balled through the defence, but Scott Barrett dislodged the ball from his arms three metres from the tryline.
The third-placed Brumbies, the top-ranked Australian side, will now host the team that finishes fourth - the Hurricanes or Queensland - in the qualifying finals next weekend.
By finishing in the top two the Crusaders are now guaranteed to host a home semi-final provided they win next week.
The Brumbies trailed 25-14 at halftime with the Crusaders dominant in every aspect, with their line-speed in defence and physicality at the breakdown causing the home side headaches.
But the Brumbies started the second half with intent, with prop Rhys Van Nek burrowing across.
The Brumbies then set up a heart-stopping finish when they drew level at 28-28 with their opponents after Noah Lolesio converted a try by Andy Muirhead in the 56th minute.
After some quick hands Muirhead still had plenty of work to do but the winger showed his will to drag three defenders across the line.
A penalty strike by Lolesio then put his team ahead with eight minutes to play but the Crusaders - the most successful team in the competition's history with 14 titles - wouldn't be denied.
Crusaders 33 (Tries: Lio-Willie, Bell, Blackadder, Reihana; Cons: Reihana 2; Pens: Reihana 2; Drop Goal: Reece) def ACT Brumbies 31 (Tries: Fotuaika, van Nek, Muirhead, Ikitau; Cons: Lolesio 4; Pens: Lolesio)
BRUMBIES: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Tuaina Taii Tualima, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Tom Hooper, , 4 Nick Frost, 3 Feao Fotuaika, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Lington Ieli, 18 Rhys van Nek, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Declan Meredith, 23 Ollie Sapsford.
CRUSADERS: 15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Levi Aumua, 12 Dallas McLeod, 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Rivez Reihana, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Antonio Shalfoon, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Tamaiti Williams, 2 Codie Taylor (captain), 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 George Bell, 17 Lewis Ponini, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Tahlor Cahill, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 James O’Connor, 23 Braydon Ennor.
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant referees: Angus Mabey, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Richard Kelly
